fraud case: Bhubaneswar, (Reporterspen), Sept 30: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Odisha has arrested a man in Mumbai in connection with a ₹1.2 crore fraud related to Haj pilgrimage arrangements. The accused, identified as Nabeel Abdul Mubin Shaikh, was apprehended on September 27 and is set to be presented in a Balasore court on September 30 after being brought to Bhubaneswar on a transit remand.
According to an EOW statement, the case originated from a complaint filed by Mir Khursid of Kazimahala in Dhamnagar, Bhadrak district. The complaint involves the proprietors of ‘Al-Adam Tour & Travels,’ including Firdos Bi Abdul Mubin Shaikh, her son Nabeel, her daughter Saima Anjum Shaikh, and Md Bismillah Shaikh of Al-Izma Tours & Travels in Vikhroli, Mumbai. They are accused of collecting ₹45,786 and ₹50,786 from 189 individuals, totaling ₹1.2 crore, between 2019 and 2023, to arrange pilgrimages to Saudi Arabia for Umrah.
The EOW noted that the proprietors neither sent the pilgrims on the pilgrimage nor refunded the money collected from them.
Investigations revealed that the proprietors of Al-Adam Tour & Travel Agency promoted their services through social media advertisements and leaflets, offering attractive packages to Muslim devotees for travel to Mecca and Medina.
The packages ranged from ₹45,786 to ₹50,786 per pilgrim. They assured potential pilgrims of a cost-effective, secure, and safe pilgrimage experience. Previously, the agency had successfully taken devotees on pilgrimage, which led many to trust them and purchase the tour packages. Devotees from Bhadrak, Balasore, Baripada, and other parts of Odisha deposited their payments via bank transfers, UPI, and cash, receiving money receipts from the proprietors.
